Solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagents

ABSTRACT

A solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent having the general formula: ##STR1## where X is particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass; n=3-7; Y is either (CH 2 ) n&#39;  or (CH 2 ) n&#39;  --NH--CO--CH 2  wherein n&#39;=2-6; Z may be in the form of OCOR, OSO 2  R and OCO 2  R, and Z&#39; may be either Z or OH, wherein R is a chromophore, fluorophore or electrophore capable of detection in chromatographic separation technology is disclosed. Also disclosed is the method for making compounds of this type and the method for using these compounds to identify and quantitate analytes having primary or secondary amine or thiol functionalities.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of bioanalytical separation technology, and more particularly, to a new class of reactive solid phase reagents useful in inter alia, amino acid analysis, the method of preparing said reagents, and the method of using said reagents for the detection of mold nucleophilic species.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of polymeric reagents including solid phase activated esters and anhydrides have been prepared for use in the derivatization of amino acids (Kalir, R., Warshawsky, A., Fridkin, M., and Patchornik, A., Eur. J. Biochem., 59, 55 (1975)., Cohen, B. J., Hafeli, H. K., and Patchornick, A., J. Org. Chem., 49, 922 (1984)., Shambhu, M. B., and Digenis, G. A., J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 619 (1974)., Martin, G. E. et al, J. Org. Chem., 43, 4571 (1978)., Martin, G. E., Shambu, M. B., and Digenis, G. A., J. Pharm. Scil, 67, 110 (1978)., Shambhu, M. B. and Digenis, G. A., Tetrahedron Lett., 18, 1627 (1973)). These polymeric reagents are, to varying degrees structurally related to the original Merrifield polymeric reagents used in the synthesis of peptides. Certain classes of polymeric activated esters and anhydrides are unique in that they are able to selectively transfer an attached moiety to mild nucleophilic species (amines, amino acids and thiols) under relatively mild reaction conditions. This moiety may then be exploited as a basis for the separation and subsequent detection of the nucleophile.

Although the synthetic organic literature contains numerous examples of the use of supported reagents for a variety of applications, examples of the use of immobilized reagents of solid phase reagents (SPR) for the derivatization of compounds of interest (analytes) for subsequent analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) are limited (Krull, I. S. et al, J. Liq. Chromatogr., 6, 605 (1983)., Krull, I. S. et al, J. Liq. Chromatogr., 6, 1015 (1983)., Krull, I. S. et al, J. Liq. Chromatogr., 6, 2190 (1983)., Xie, K. H., Colgan, S. and Krull, S. I., J. Liq. Chromatogr., 6(S-2), 125 (1983)., Nondek, L., Brinkman, U. A. T., and Frei, R. W., Anal. Chem., 55, 1466 (19 83)., Nondek, L., Anal. Chem., 56, 1194 (1984)., Bolme, M. W. and Langer, S. H., J. Phys. Chem., 87, 3366 (1983)., Vratny, P., Ouhrabkova, J., and Copikova, J., J. Chromatogr., 191, 313 (1980)., Nondek, L., Frei, R. W., and Brinkman, U. A. T., J. Chromatogr., 282, 141 (1983)., Studebaker, J. F., J. Chromatogr., 185, 497 (1979)., Lankmayr, E. P. et al, J. Chromatogry., 224, 239 (1981)).

An slid phase reagent may be prepared on a variety of solid supports which may be inorganic or polymeric in nature, including silica, glass, alumina, Florisil, or various polymeric supports derived from polystyrene, polyacrylamide or polymethacrylate. The derivatizing moiety can be physically adsorbed, intercalated, or ionically or covalently bonded to the support. There are a number of significant advantages to performing solid phase derivatizations utilizing the foregoing reagents including (1) ease of separation of the supported species from the reaction mixture, (2) reuse of a supported reagent after regeneration, (3) adaptability to continuous flow processes, (4) reduced toxicity and odor of supported species compared with low molecular weight species, and (5) chemical differences, such as solubility or altered selectivity of a reagent (resulting from steric considerations), in supported form compared with its soluble analog.

However, polymeric supports exhibit properties which render them unsuitable for continuous flow processes in that they lack dynamic stability, by shrinking or swelling as a function of solvent polarity. This limits their potential for use in derivatizations wherein the SPR is confined to a column of predetermined volume (in-line). Additionally, only macroporous polymers, which are particularly costly, exhibit sufficient rigidity for use in high pressure chromatographic systems. Finally, those polymers which have been routinely utilized for the preparation of solid phase reagents exhibit considerable hydrophobic character which can result in the irreversible adsorption of an analyte.

Particulate silica and controlled pore glass are the supports of choice when rigidity and dynamic stability are required of a particular application. However, silica and glass exhibit adsorptive properties which render them inappropriate unless further functionalized. Bonded phase silica and controlled pore glass, prepared by reaction of the inorganic support with a functionalized alkylsilane, exhibit many of the required properties. In those situations in which adsorptive secondary interactions may prove particularly detrimental, as for example in the chromatography of biological molecules, a polymeric coating of bonded phase supports further removes secondary interactions. Particulate bonded silica has been coated with polyacrylamide, polyvinylalcohol, polyethyleneimine and polysuccinimide (Alpert, A. J., J. Chromatogr., 266, 23 (1983)., Alpert, A. J., J. Chromatogr., 359, 85 (1986)).

Therefore, it is desirable that solid phase reagents be provided which exhibit sufficient dynamic stability and rigidity, and lack deletorious adsorptive properties, for use in continuous derivatizations for the purpose of qualitative abd quantitative identification of analytes by high pressure liquid chromatography.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the preparation of solid phase reagents prepared from particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass. Particulate bonded phase silica gel or controlled pore glass containing aminoalkyl or aminoarylalkyl moieties is functionalized by reaction with poly(D,L-succinimide) to yield poly(D,L-succinimide)-silica, which is further functionalized by reaction with an aminoalkylthiol to yield alpha-beta-poly-(mercapto- alkyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica, which is subsequently reduced with dithiothreitol or 2-meraptoethanol. Further reaction with N-hydroxymaleimide then results in a solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent.

Subsequent reaction of a N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent with an acid chloride or chloroformate yields the corresponding functionalized N-hydroxysuccinimidyl activated ester or carbonate of general formula I, which may then be employed in the derivatization of an analyte for subsequent analysis.

Alternatively, particulate bonded phase silica gel or controlled pore glass containing aminoalkyl or aminoarylalkyl moieties is functionalized by reaction with poly(D,L-succinimide) to yield poly(D,L-succinimide)-silica, which is further functionalized by reaction with with a diamine to yield alpha-beta-poly(aminoalkyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica, which upon reaction with a haloacetic acid chloride or anhydride, yields alpha-beta-poly(haloacetaminoalkyl- D,L-aspartamide)-silica. Further reaction with 3-mercapto-N-hydroxymaleimide then results in a solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent.

Subsequent reaction of a N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent with an acid chloride or chloroformate yields the corresponding functionalized N-hydroxysuccinimidyl activated ester or carbonate of general formula I, which may then be employed in the derivatization of an analyte for subsequent analysis. ##STR2##

The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagents of the present invention are of the general formula I where X is particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass; n=3-7; Y is either (CH₂)_(n') or (CH₂)_(n') -NH--CO--CH₂ wherein n'=2-6; Z may be in the form of OCOR, OSO₂ R and OCO₂ R, and Z' may be either Z or OH, wherein R is a chromophore, fluorophore or electrophore capable of detection in chromatographic separation technology. Preferably R is 9-fluoroenylmethyl (Fmoc), 5-dimethylamino-naphthalene (Dansyl), 4-methylcoumarin, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, 7-dimethylamino-coumarin or 4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene (Dabsyl).

Functionalized solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagents of the present invention can be used to derivatize and detect compounds containing primary or secondary amine or thiol functionalities including amino acids, amino acid esters, peptides, polyamines, catecholamines, thiols or related species. The analytes are dissolved in a highly polar solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide or a buffered aqueous solution containing N,N-dimethylformamide, and then contacted with the solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagents, either in batch or in a column. After a period of incubation, the derivatized species, which now contains a detectable moeity (R) transferred from the solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent, is identified and quantitated by chromatographic methods known in the art.

The invention further relates to the preparation of solid phase reagents wherein the residual silanol activity associated with particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass has been effectively masked by application of a hydrophilic polymeric coating. This polymeric coating eliminates the irreversible adsorption of low molecular weight amines observed with prior art particulate silica gels or bonded phase silica gels which have not been functionalized in accordance with the present invention. This also eliminates the hydrophobic character associated with some bonded phase silica gels or bonded phase controlled pore glasses which can result in the irreversible adsorption of an analyte.

DETAILED DISCUSSION Preparation of solid phase reagents

Silica gel suitable for use in preparing the solid phase reagents of this invention is any silica gel having an average particle diameter of from about 3 to 120 microns and an average pore size of from about 50 to 1000 Angstrom units. Such silica gel, consisting of amorphous silica, is commercially available in irregular and spherical particulate forms. Controlled pore glass suitable for use in preparing solid phase reagents is any controlled pore glass having an average mesh size distribution of from about 20 to 400 mesh and an average pore size of from about 75 to 1000 Angstrom units.

Silica gel or controlled pore glass may be functionalized by reaction with an aminoalkylsilane or aminoarylalkylsilane, such as, for example 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 4-aminobutyldimethylmethoxysilane or 4-aminobutyltriethoxysilane in anhydrous organic solvent at room temperature or at elevated temperature or by deposition from an aqueous solution at room temperature to yield aminoalkyl or aminoarylalkyl silica gel (APS) or aminoalkyl or aminoarylalkyl controlled pore glass (APG). Preferably, aminopropyl- or aminobutylsilane is utilized. Alternatively, aminopropyl silica gel or controlled pore glass is available commercially.

Polymeric(D,L-succinimide) of any molecular weight distribution soluble in N,N-dimethylformamide may be used for the functionalization of APS or APG. For example, poly(D,L-succinimide), formula II, of average molecular weight of 13,000 may be prepared by dehydration of D,L-aspartic acid at 190° C. for 50 hours (Alpert, A. J., J. Chromatogr., 266, 23 (1983)). Solubilization of poly(D,L-succinimide) in N,N-dimethylformamide and subsequent reaction with APS or APG at room temperature for 24 hours yields poly(D,L-succinimide)-silica, formula III. As shown in formula III and subsequent formulas, X is used to designate the particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass surface of the support, and n=3-7 and preferably 3 or 4. ##STR3##

For the preparation of a compound of general formula I wherein Y is (CH₂)_(n'), functionalization of poly(D,L-succinimide)-silica, formula III, by reaction with an aminoalkylthiol, such as, for example 2-aminoethanethiol or 4-aminobutanethiol in N,N-dimethylformamide yields alpha-beta-poly(mercaptoalkyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica, formula IV, where n=3-7. ##STR4##

For the preparation of a compound of general formula I wherein Y is (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂, functionalization of poly(D,L-succinimide)-silica, formula III, by reaction with with a diamine, such as, for example ethylenediamine, 1,4-diaminobutane or 1,6-diaminohexane in N,N-dimethylformamide yields alpha-beta-poly-(aminoalkyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica.

Reaction of alpha-beta-poly-(aminoalkyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica with a haloacetic acid chloride or anhydride, yields alpha-beta-poly-(haloacetaminoalkyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica, formula V, where n=3-7; n'=2-6 and A is selected from bromine, chlorine or iodine. ##STR5##

Reaction of a compound of general formula IV with N-hydroxymaleimide, formula VI, reslts in a solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of general formula VIII, where n=3-7; and Y is either (CH₂)_(n') or (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ wherein n'=2-6. ##STR6##

Reaction of a compound of general formula V with 3-mercapto-N-hydroxymaleimide, formula VII, resylts in a solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of general formula VIII, where n=3-7; and Y is either (CH₂)_(n') or (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ wherein n'=2-6. ##STR7##

Reaction of a compound of general formula VIII with a carboxylic acid chloride in the presence of an acid scavenger in N,N-dimethylformamide at low temperature or by reaction of a carboxylic acid after prior activation with diisopropylcarbodiimide or N,N-carbonyldiimidazole in N,N-dimethylformamide at room temperature results in a solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of general formula IX where n=3-7; Y is either (CH₂)_(n') or (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ wherein n'=2-6; Z' may be either OCOR or OH, and R may be alkyl, aryl, alkyl/aryl or substituted aryl functionality, R is the moiety which, in use, is transferred to the analyte, and is exploited as the basis for the subsequent separation and detection of the analyte.

Preferred R moieties include those chromophores, fluorophores and electrophores which are known in the art as detectable moieties exploited in HPLC analyses in conjunction with ultraviolet, fluorescence and electrochemical detection including, but not limited to 9-fluorenylmethyl (Fmoc), 5-dimethylaminoaphthalene (Dansyl), 4-methylcoumarin, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, 4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene (Dabsyl), and others. ##STR8##

Reaction of a compound of general formula VIII with a sulfonic acid chloride in the presence of an acid scavenger in N,N-dimethylformamide at low temperature (preferably 5° C. to 15° C.) results in a solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester of general formula X where n=3-7; Y is either (CH₂)_(n') or (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ wherein n'=2-6 and Z' may be either OSO₂ R or OH. ##STR9##

Reaction of a compound of general formula VIII with a chloroformate in the presence of an acid scavenger in N,N-dimethylformamide at low temperature, or through an intermediate dicyclohexylammonium salt of the compound of general formula VIII in N,N-dimethylformamide at room temperature rresults in a solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbonate of general formula XI where n=3-7; Y is either (CH₂)_(n') or (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ wherein n'=2-6 and Z' may be either OCO₂ R or OH. ##STR10##

Use of solid phase reagents

Reaction of an amino acid, amino acid ester, peptide, polyamine, catecholamine, thiol or related species with a compound of general formula IX, X or XI (solid phase reagent), effected by preparing an analyte solution in N,N-dimethylformamide, ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile or and aqueous solution containing at least 50% N,N-dimethylformamide, ethanol, methanol or acetonitrile, buffered at a pH between 2 and 9. The analyte solution is brought into contact with the solid phase reagent either by adding the analyte solution to the solid phase reagent and allowing the mixture to stand a room temperature or at elevated temperature for several minutes with occasonal agitation, or preferably by packing the solid phase reagent in a column and pumping the analyte solution through the column at room temperature or at elevated temperature at a flow rate suitable to allow the analyte to contact the solid phase reagent for several minutes. The analyte solution containing the derivatized analytes, after a suitable period of incubation, is either fltered from the solid phase reagent or collected as the eluent from the solid phase reagent column.

After concentration of the derivatized analytes, an analysis is effected by high pressure liquid chromatography. The mode of detection employed is determined in accordance with the R moiety associated with the solid phase reagent and transferred to the analyte during the derivatization reaction. The chromatographic analysis may involve normal phase, reverse phase, isocratic or gradient elution liquid chromatography. Chromophores, fluorophores, and electrophores are known in the art as detectable moieties which are utilized in high pressure liquid chromatographic analyses in conjunction with ultraviolet, fluorescence and electrochemical detection.

The reaction of a compound of general formula IX with an amine to be detected would result in an amide containing the R group. The reaction of a compound of general formula X with the amine would result in a sulfonamide containing the R group. The reaction of a compound of general formula XI with the amine would result in a carbamate containing the R group.

EXAMPLE I Synthesis of alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica General formula VIII)

Vydac 101TP silica gel (4.0 g) was weighed into a large test tube and covered with 5% (w/v) of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane in toluene (30 ml). The mixture was swirled with a vortex generator and kept under vacuum (with a one-hole stopper connected to a small pump) for 30 sec to remove air from the pores of the silica. The mixture was heated for 2 hours at 100° C. with occasional swirling. Aminopropyl-silica was collected in a medium-porosity scintered-glass funnel and washed with toluene (100 ml) and acetone (100 ml), then dried by continued suction.

D,L-Aspartic acid (50 g, 380 mmol) was deposited in a thin layer in a crystallization dish and heated in an oven at 190° C. for 50 hours. The resulting light tan powder weighed 37.9 g (indicating virtually quantitative dehydration, assuming a unit molecular weight of 97 for the product). The powder was dissolved by heating in N,N-dimethylformamide (150 ml), except for a small amount of white material. This was removed by centrifugation, leaving a brown solution. The product was collected by pouring the N,N-dimethylformamide solution into 4 volumes of ether, with rapid stirring, and collecting the precipitated product by centrifugation. The precipitate was freed of N,N-dimethylformamide by shaking it several times with ether followed by resedimentation. The precipitate was then dried in vacuo to yield a light tan powder, poly(D,L-succinimide) completely soluble in N,N-dimethylformamide.

Aminopropyl-silica (4.0 g) was added to 5% (w/v) of poly(D,L-succinimide in N,N-dimethylformaamide (20 ml). The mixture was swirled and degassed as described above, then allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature with occasional swirling. The tan-colored product was collected in a scintered-glass funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (150 ml) and acetone (100 ml). The product was added to a solution containing 2-aminoethanethiol (0.31 g, 4 mmol), water (4 ml) and N,N-dimethylformamide (20 ml). The mixture was again allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature with occasional swirling (this removes much of the tan color). The product was collected in a scintered-glas funnel and washed with water (200 ml), hydrochloric acid (150 ml, 0.05 N), water (150 ml) and acetone (100 ml), then dried by continued suction to yield alpha-beta-poly(mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica.

Alpha-beta-poly(mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica was reduced by reaction with dithiothreitol (1.5 g, 10 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (20 ml). The mixture was placed on an orbital shaker (100 rpm) for one hour. The product was collected on a scintered funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (150 ml) and acetone (100 ml), then transferred to a solution containing N-hydroxymaleimide (0.5 g, 5 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (20 ml). The mixture was again placed on an orbital shaker (100 rpm) for 3 hours, then collected in a scintered-glass funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (100 ml), acetone (50 ml) and ether (50 ml), then dried in vacuo at 350° C. for 12 hours to yield alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica.

EXAMPLE II Synthesis of alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoacetamidoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica (General Formula VIII)

Poly(D,L-succinimide)-silica (4.0 g) was added to a solution containing ethylenediamine (0.25 ml, 3.7 mmol), ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (0.5 g, 3.7 mmol), water (4 ml) and N,N-dimethylformamide (20 ml). The mixture was allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature with occasional swirling. The product was collected on a scintered-glass funnel and washed with water (200 ml), hydrochloric acid (150 ml, 0.05 N), water (150 ml) and acetone (100 ml), then dried by continued suction to yield alpha-beta-poly(aminoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica, which was returned to solution in N,N-dimethylformamide (20 ml). To the mixture was added chloroacetic anhydride (0.68 g, 4 mmol) and triethylamine (0.32 ml, 4.4 mmol). The mixture was placed on an orbital shaker (100 rpm) for 3 hours, then collected in a scintered-glass funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (100 ml) and acetone (50 ml), to yield alpha-beta-poly(chloroacetamidoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica, which was returned to solution in N,N-dimethylformamide (20 ml). To the mixture was finally added 3-mercapto-N-hydroxymaleimide (0.75 g, 5 mmol) and dithiothreitol (1.5 g, 10 mmol). The mixture was again placed on an orbital shaker (100 rmp) for 3 hours, then collected in a scintered-glass funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (100 ml), acetone (50 ml) and ether (50 ml), then dried in vacuo at 35° C. for 12 hours to yield alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoacetamidoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica.

EXAMPLE III Synthesis of alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide) 9-fluoroenylmethylcarbonate-silica (General formula XI)

Alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica (4.0 g) was dried in vacuo at 35° C. for 3 hours, then allowed to cool to room temperature in a desiccator before it was added to a solution containing N,N-dicyclohexylamine (0.8 ml, 4 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (40 ml). The mixture was placed on an orbital shaker for 12 hours (100 rpm), then collected in a scintered-glass funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (100 ml) to yield dicyclohexylammonium alpha-beta-poly-(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica, which was then added to a solution of 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (1.03 g, 4 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (40 ml). The mixture was placed on an orbital shaker for one hour (100 rpm), then collected in a scintered-glass funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (100 ml), water (100 ml), KHSO₄ (100 ml, 0.1M), water (100 ml), acetone (50 ml) and ether (50 ml), then dried in vacuo at 35° C. for 12 hours to yield alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide) 9-fluorenylmethylcarbonate-silica.

EXAMPLE IV Synthesis of alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoacetamidoethyl-D,L-aspartamide) 5-N,N-dimethylaminoaphthalenesulfonate-silica (General formula X)

Alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoacetamidoethyl-D,L-aspartamide)-silica (4.0 g) was dried in vacuo at 35° C. for 3 hours, then allowed to cool to room temperature in a desiccator before it was added to a solution containing 5-dimethylaminoaphthalensulfonyl chloride (1.08 g, 4 mmol) and triethylamine (0.6 ml, 4.4 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (40 ml). The mixture was placed on a magnetic stirrer for 3 hours and the temperature maintained below 15° C. by placing the reaction vessel in an ice-water bath. After allowing the mixture to warm the room temperature the product was collected in a scintered-glass funnel and washed with N,N-dimethylformamide (100 ml), acetone (100 ml) and ether (50 ml), then dried in vacuo at 35° C. for 12 hours to yield alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoacetamidoethyl-D,L-aspartamide) 5-N,N-dimethylaminonaphthalenesulfonate-silica.

EXAMPLE V Amino Acid Analysis

A sample containing 25 picomoles of amino acid standard (Pierce H Standard) was injected into a column containing approximately 1 gram of alpha-beta-poly(N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-3-mercaptoethyl-D,L-aspartamide) 9-fluorenylmethyl-carbonate-silica (3.0 mm×10 cm) at a flow rate of 50 ul/min. The solid phase reagent column is equilibrated for 15 min with 7:2:1 ethanol: acetronitrile: 0.01M N-methylmorpholine trifluoroacetate buffer, pH 7.4, prior to injection. The eluent containing the derivatized amino acids was collected, evaporated to dryness, solubilized in acetone (20 ul) and subsequently analyzed by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The sample was resolved on a C18 column (4.6 mm×15 cm, 5u) by ternary gradient elution (A×H₂ O, 2.5 ml/liter acetic acid, 1.0 ml triethylamine, 0.5 ml trifluoroacetic acid, pH 3.1, B×850 ml H₂ O containing 30 ml/liter acetic acid, 1.0 ml triethylamine, pH 4.5; add methanol to make 1 liter, C=acetonitrile) and detected by fluorescence (excitation @ 260 nm, emission cutoff filter @ 300 nm) according to the following protocol:

    ______________________________________                                         Composition of Elution Gradient                                                Time     % A            % B    % C                                             ______________________________________                                         0        75              0     25                                              11.5     60              0     40                                              14.0     60              0     40                                              14.1      0             65     35                                              18.0      0             55     45                                              25.0      0             25     75                                              30.0      0             25     75                                              30.1     75              0     25                                              ______________________________________                                    

An identical sample was derivatized by reaction with a 10-fold molar excess of 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate in 2:1 borate buffer, pH 7.7 (0.2M): acetone, 9-Fluorenylmethanol resulting from hydrolysis of the chloroformate was removed by extraction with hexane (2 times, 1 ml each time). The results obtained for the solid phase reagent (Fmoc-SPR) and the homogeneous reaction with 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate (Fmoc-CL) were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Analysis of Amino Acid Standard                                                Fmoc-Cl     Fmoc-SPR          Fmoc-Cl                                                                               Fmoc-SPR                                  ______________________________________                                         SER   90%       93%       PRO   93%    95%                                     ASP   97%       96%       MET   97%    96%                                     GLU   96%       98%       VAL   98%    98%                                     ARG   87%       83%       PHE   96%    98%                                     THR   87%       87%       ILE   95%    99%                                     ALA   98%       98%       LEU   94%    96%                                     TYR   82%       89%       HIS   87%    95%                                     GLY   95%       96%       LYS   84%    89%                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE VI

Oxidized insulin A chain (2 mg/ml) was hydrolyzed in constant boiling 6N HCl vapor for 24 hours at 110° C. The sample was dissolved in 7:2:1 ethanol; water; triethylamine (1 ml) and dried in vacuo. The sample was then injected into a column of Fmoc-SPR at a flow rate of 50 ul/min and the eluant containing the derivatized amino acids collected. Chromatographic analysis as described abaove afforded the following results:

    ______________________________________                                         Amino Acid Analysis of Oxidized Insulin A Chain                                Expected     Found             Expected                                                                              Found                                    ______________________________________                                         SER   2.0        1.8     PRO     0      --                                     ASP   2.0        2.0     MET     0      --                                     GLU   4.0        3.7     VAL     2.0    1.9                                    ARG   0          --      PHE     0      --                                     THR   0          --      ILE     1.0    0.9                                    ALA   1.0        1.1     LEU     2.0    2.3                                    TYR   2.0        1.6     HIS     0      --                                     GLY   1.0        1.0     LYS     0      --                                     ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. A solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent having the general formula I: ##STR11## wherein X is particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass; n is 3 to 7; Y is selected from (CH₂)_(n') and (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂, wherein n' is 2 to 6; Z is selected from OH, OCOR, OSO₂ R and OCO₂ R, Z' is selected from OH and Z, and wherein R is selected from a chromophore, fluorophore and electrophore.
 2. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 1 wherein X is particulate silica having an average pore size distribution in the range of 120 to 500 Angstroms.
 3. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 1 wherein R is selected from 9-fluoroenylmethyl (Fmoc), 5-dimethylaminoaphthalene (Dansyl), 4-methylcoumarin, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, 7-dimethylaminocoumarin and 4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene (Dabsyl).
 4. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 1 wherein n is 3 or
 4. 5. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 1 wherein Y is (CH₂)_(n').
 6. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 5 wherein n' is
 2. 7. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 1 wherein Y is (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂, and wherein n' is
 2. 8. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 1 wherein n is 3 or 4, Y is (CH₂)_(n'), n' is 2, Z is OCOR, Z' is selected from OCOR and OH, and R is 7-methoxy-4-methyl coumarin.
 9. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 1 wherein n is 3 or 4, Y is (CH₂)_(n'), n' is 2, Z is OCOR, Z' is selected from OCOR and OH, and R is 9-fluorenylmethyl.
 10. A solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of the general formulaa VIII: ##STR12## wherein X is particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass; n is 3 to 7; Y is selected from (CH₂)_(n') and (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ where n' is 2 to
 6. 11. A solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of the general formula IX: ##STR13## wherein X is particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass; n is 3 to 7; Y is selected from (CH₂)_(n') and (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ where n' is 2 to 6; R is selected from a chromophore, fluorophore and electrophore; and Z' is selected fromOH and OCOR.
 12. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 11 wherein n is 3 or 4; Y is (CH₂)_(n'), where n' is 2 to 6; Z' is selected from OCOR and OH; and R is 7-methoxy-4-methyl coumarin.
 13. A solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of the general formula X: ##STR14## wherein X is particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass; n is 3 to 7; Y is selected from (CH₂)_(n') and (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ where n' is 2 to 6; R is selected from a chromophore, fluorophore and electrophore; and Z' is selected from OH and OSO₂ R.
 14. A solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of the general formula XI: ##STR15## wherein X is particulate silica gel or controlled pore glass; n is 3 to 7; Y is selected from (CH₂)_(n') and (CH₂)_(n') --NH--CO--CH₂ where n' is 2 to 6; R is selected from a chromophore, fluorophore and electrophore, and Z' is selected from OH and OCO₂ R.
 15. The solid phase N-hydroxysuccinimide reagent of claim 14 wherein n is 3 or 4; Y is (CH₂)_(n'), where n' is 2 to 6; Z' is selected from OCO₂ R and OH; and R is 9-fluorenylmethyl. 